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[Diseased Yak]

Update:

Below are the details of the final version of DRM that will be used with Dragon Age 2 for PC and Mac.

We appreciate your patience and feedback on this. DRM is always a topic of much debate, even internally. It requires a delicate balance between providing some level of IP protection while minimizing the inconvenience or intrusion to a player’s experience. These decisions are not made lightly - and a lot of time and effort was dedicated to ensuring that the system for DA2 is skewed to the player side of the experience. It is as follows:

Dragon Age 2 Physical & Digital PC/Mac DRM are as follows:

* No disc check, you do not need the disc in drive to play.

* No limit on the total number of PCs you can install the game on.

* There is a limit to the number of unique/different PCs that can play the game within a time window (if online) [5 PCs in 24hrs].

* After each new install there is a 1-time online check needed the next time you play, requiring a log in to your EA account to verify game ownership. If you are a member of these forums, you already have an EA account – just use the same email/password.

* You can play offline thereafter - the game will NOT require any subsequent login checks. If online, a game ownership check happens each time you play.

Steam versions use Steam DRM, no other DRM is added, which means:

* No disc check, it is used for digital game versions purchased from Steam only.

* No limit to the total number of PCs you can install the game on.

* There is a limit to the number of unique/different PCs that can play the game at any one time (if online) [1 PC].

* Each install requires logging into your Steam account to verify game ownership.

* You can play offline thereafter. If online, a game ownership check happens each time you play.

* Steam pre-loads use Steam release control – you will not be able to play until the release day/time has passed for that region.

Dragon Age 2 Release Control (non-Steam versions)

* Does not use securom.

* It does not install anything to the PC.

* Sole purpose is to check with a server to validate whether the game release date has passed or not.

* It completely removes itself after the game release date has passed.

* You will not be able to play until that date has passed.

* Dates & times are set to the retail street date per country.

Common questions:

Does this apply to consoles?

* No. This is applies to PC/Mac only.

What about Mac/Cider, does it use Securom?

* Dragon Age: Origins for Mac/Cider used Securom. Dragon Age 2 for Mac/Cider will NOT use Securom and instead it will use the same non-Steam system listed above.

A PC review mentions Securom, what gives?

* All EA preview & review game builds sent to press use Securom which is where the assumption came from. The Dragon Age 2 actual retail & download version of the game that you will play will not use Securom, it uses one of the systems above.

Source: http://social.bioware.com/forum/1/topic/141/index/6194280&lf=8

Original:

Wasn't sure what DA2 thread to post this in, so I created a new one to discuss. Merge if needed.

Anyhoo, seems Dragon Age II has a "periodic online check" that at some nebulous point in the future will be "sunsetted" with a patch, removing it. Thanks EA!

More deets here: Neoseeker link

I'm not sure what to think about this, but with the shitty state of my DSL provider (it's up... no, it's down) I'm thinking I may hold off.

 

[Zzoram]

Why does EA insist on not using Steamworks and holding out on pre-order bonuses for Steam? I'm not buying this game unless it's amazing and even then I'll wait for the GOTY to be $25.

nvm I guess the Steam version does only use Steamworks

 

[erpg]

As if I needed more reason to wait until the GOTY edition goes on sale half off. Now, I'll get the added bonus of them likely having removed the DRM by then!

 

[itxaka]

I'm not sure what to think about this, but with the shitty state of my DSL provider (it's up... no, it's down) I'm thinking I may hold off.

Buy game, install game, install crack, live peacefully.

Or better, don't buy the game.


Meanwhile on pirate land, people install and forget about doing anything else. SMH.

 

[Chairman Yang]

I'd care except I'm almost certainly going to skip DA2 anyways

 

[~Kinggi~]

I have this preordered for he PC. I fucking conclude it will need to be godly for me not to cancel that shit.

 

[TheVampire]

Yeah like that will stop pirates......

 

[Chris R]

What the fuck went wrong between DA1 and DA2? Seriously, someone should be able to explain it, because I loved DA1 so damn much but I can safely say I'll never be buying DA2. It seems like every simple decision that could be made was made incorrectly.

 

[Fredescu]

"Contrary to popular belief, EA's method is actually very similar to how Steamworks operates."

What? So those Pop Cap games that have run in offline mode for a year on my laptop have required a periodic online check? Needing more than one check is not "very similar" at all.

For what it's worth, I think sunsetting the DRM is awesome. I wish they would sunset their CD checks as well.

 

[Draft]

No problem. My Xbox is always online and connected to Live, anyway.

 

[WanderingWind]

It's almost like they're running an experiment to see how badly they can fuck up every conceivable portion of this game and still have it sell.

I can't wait for the unveil of the ending being DLC or some such nonsense.

 

[Zzoram]

"Contrary to popular belief, EA's method is actually very similar to how Steamworks operates."

What? So those Pop Cap games that have run in offline mode for a year on my laptop have required a periodic online check? Needing more than one check is not "very similar" at all.

You can leave your computer with Steam in offline mode forever, EA's method doesn't let you so it's not like Steam. I have a friend who put Steam on his laptop with Plants vs Zombies in offline mode and he's been playing that in offline mode for over a year without having to go online.

 

[~Kinggi~]

No problem. My Xbox is always online and connected to Live, anyway.

PC VERSION

 

[Fredescu]

You can leave your computer with Steam in offline mode forever, EA's method doesn't let you so it's not like Steam.

Yep, that's what I said.

 

[Spire]

My internet at home was down for about two weeks once and I played all the way through Far Cry 2 and got some good Civ IV games in via Steam offline mode.

 

[Diseased Yak]

Thanks mod for the title change, I wasn't aware that the Steam version used Steam DRM. Will buy it now, at some point.

Still sucks for retail purchasers.

 

[LegatoB]

Thanks mod for the title change, I wasn't aware that the Steam version used Steam DRM. Will buy it now, at some point.

Still sucks for retail purchasers.

What makes you think it won't use both?

Edit: Oh. The article. Well. Reading is for cowards. I'm actually half-pleased if Steam gets excused from this.

 

[Nirolak]

What makes you think it won't use both?

Because the source link at the source says so.

Steam versions use Steam DRM, no other DRM is added.

Source: http://social.bioware.com/forum/1/topic/141/index/5887403&lf=8

 

[Zzoram]

Patching out DRM is a good move. Most piracy is during the first month anyways, so if DRM had even the slightest anti-piracy effect (probably doesn't) that would no longer be an issue a few months later anyways.

 

[~Kinggi~]

What makes you think it won't use both?

Edit: Oh. The article. Well. Reading is for cowards. I'm actually half-pleased if Steam gets excused from this.

Of course it got excused, it didnt get no signature edition specialties. Steam users pay a premium for the drm change. Everyone else that wanted the damn extra content got to pay with drm rapings.

 

[JaseC]

Yep, that's what I said.

It's uncanny. He quoted you and just reworded what you said!

 

[Shambles]

Wasn't sure what DA2 thread to post this in, so I created a new one to discuss. Merge if needed.

Anyhoo, seems Dragon Age II has a "periodic online check" that at some nebulous point in the future will be "sunsetted" with a patch, removing it. Thanks EA!

More deets here: Neoseeker link

I'm not sure what to think about this, but with the shitty state of my DSL provider (it's up... no, it's down) I'm thinking I may hold off.

And pirates won't have any DRM at all. Good job dumbasses

 

[Gravijah]

And pirates won't have any DRM at all. Good job dumbasses

But then the pirates won't have the full experience!


SUCK IT PIRATES WITH YOUR INFERIOR DRM FREE GAMES

 

[LegatoB]

Of course it got excused, it didnt get no signature edition specialties. Steam users pay a premium for the drm change. Everyone else that wanted the damn extra content got to pay with drm rapings.

True enough. I wouldn't buy Dragon Age 2 if you paid me, but I'm a lot more willing to put up with Steam's DRM -- and exclusively Steam's DRM -- than any of the other solutions concocted lately. None of the other stupid Dragon Age 2 bullshit should be rewarded, but this one's worth, I dunno, half of a tip of the hat?

 

[Kusagari]

We know more about the pre-order bonuses and DRM than we do the actual game.

 

[itxaka]

Because the source link at the source says so.


Source: http://social.bioware.com/forum/1/topic/141/index/5887403&lf=8

Thank god, crisis adverted. Now, why would anyone get the game from EA (apart from the pre-ordering shit they did) instead of getting it from steam?

 

[Zeliard]

Games publishers are truly amazing. Disserving customers to prevent the inevitable. You'd think they would at some point consider, "why do we keep giving the pirates the most unimpeded gaming experience?"

But no. They don't stop to consider that at all. Discussions on the subject probably go something like this:

- "What should we do to stem pirating?"

- "What can we do?"

- "Non-intrusive DRM."

- "You're fired."

 

[kamspy]

You can already sunset most of you boxed EA disc checks if you activate them on EADM.

 

[Fredescu]

You can already sunset most of you boxed EA disc checks if you activate them on EADM.

I did not know that. Thanks.

 

[Vaporak]

Games publishers are truly amazing. Disserving customers to prevent the inevitable. You'd think they would at some point consider, "why do we keep giving the pirates the most unimpeded gaming experience?"

But no. They don't stop to consider that at all. Discussions on the subject probably go something like this:

- "What should we do to stem pirating?"

- "What can we do?"

- "Non-intrusive DRM."

- "You're fired."

I'm not convinced the big publishers actually want piracy gone; it's too convent for them. It's both a reason why there game underperformed that was out of their hands so it wasn't their fault, while simultaneously new anti-piracy measures are an easy sell to stock holders as to why their future prospects are only looking better.

 

[Zzoram]

All these DRM efforts cost them money and gain them 0 extra sales. At least Steamworks is free to use.

 

[itxaka]

I'm not convinced the big publishers actually want piracy gone; it's too convent for them. It's both a reason why there game underperformed that was out of their hands so it wasn't their fault, while simultaneously new anti-piracy measures are an easy sell to stock holders as to why their future prospects are only looking better.

Yeah, but they spend a lot of money in this protection schemes. I don't know how much, but I'm pretty sure a securom license is very expensive.

 

[graywolf323]

when did Bioware become evil? :-(

 

[Emitan]

when did Bioware become evil? :-(

When they were bought by EA. But Evilchris was always evil.

 

[hamchan]

when did Bioware become evil? :-(

They prefer the term "renegade".

 

[Zzoram]

when did Bioware become evil? :-(

There is not a single successful developer that EA didn't shit up after buying. EA was known for years as the anti-midas touch, everything they touched turned to shit.

 

[evlcookie]

With my recent experience with steam i have no intention of purchasing anything from there again, I felt like i would go full retail.

Then there's this. As a consumer i just can't win.

I was on the fence about picking this up since everyone i know crapped on about how enjoyable the first dragon age was. Certainly off the fence and in the No purchase patch of grass right now.

Still the positive thing about it is the fact they aren't using their own copy protection while using someone elses. Hopefully other companies can start doing the same.

 

[Zzoram]

With my recent experience with steam i have no intention of purchasing anything from there again, I felt like i would go full retail.

Then there's this. As a consumer i just can't win.

I was on the fence about picking this up since everyone i know crapped on about how enjoyable the first dragon age was. Certainly off the fence and in the No purchase patch of grass right now.

Still the positive thing about it is the fact they aren't using their own copy protection while using someone elses. Hopefully other companies can start doing the same.

what recent experience with Steam? are you the guy who's retail box game didn't have the serial key? That has nothing to do with Steam, the publisher is the one who fucked up making the box.

 

[Emitan]

There is not a single successful developer that EA didn't shit up after buying. EA was known for years as the anti-midas touch, everything they touched turned to shit.

They're still better than Activision. EA doesn't buy and then close 99% of the studios they acquire. I Bobby Kotick to [REDACTED] and then his mother [CLASSIFIED] with a rhino.

 

[ghst]

PC VERSION

there's a pc version?

 

[SturokBGD]

I'm not convinced the big publishers actually want piracy gone; it's too convent for them. It's both a reason why there game underperformed that was out of their hands so it wasn't their fault, while simultaneously new anti-piracy measures are an easy sell to stock holders as to why their future prospects are only looking better.

Bingo. This is exactly why this crap continues to happen years after it's been proven time and time again that it doesn't work.

For the record, most stockholders barely even know WTF a videogame is never mind what DRM is.

 

[Zzoram]

They're still better than Activision. EA doesn't buy and then close 99% of the studios they acquire. I Bobby Kotick to [REDACTED] and then his mother [CLASSIFIED] with a rhino.

During the Bullfrog/Westwood days they did.

 

[WanderingWind]

They're still better than Activision. EA doesn't buy and then close 99% of the studios they acquire. I Bobby Kotick to [REDACTED] and then his mother [CLASSIFIED] with a rhino.

Um. Didn't they though?

 

[vocab]

Man buying The witcher 2 seems like a no brainer.

 

[jtb]

There is not a single successful developer that EA didn't shit up after buying. EA was known for years as the anti-midas touch, everything they touched turned to shit.

Though BF3 has yet to be revealed, I think DICE has turned out decent - even if they haven't churned out a mainline BF game in 5 years.

That said... the list of developers EA has shit up is very long. And very depressing. Hell, even Pandemic, which they bought with BioWare, got shit up... then closed for good.

 

[itxaka]

During the Bullfrog/Westwood days they did.

Bullfrog :_(

Theme hospital. EA fucking release a new version FFS.

 

[kamspy]

I did not know that. Thanks.

I just tried it out one day. Worked.

 

[hamchan]

what recent experience with Steam? are you the guy who's retail box game didn't have the serial key? That has nothing to do with Steam, the publisher is the one who fucked up making the box.

He isn't. I'll leave it up to him to explain the whole story but it's pretty much another nightmare steam story where an innocent gets their steam account closed and steam's piece of crap support is taking a really really long time to restore it.

 

[Zzoram]

Though BF3 has yet to be revealed, I think DICE has turned out decent - even if they haven't churned out a mainline BF game in 5 years.

That said... the list of developers EA has shit up is very long. And very depressing. Hell, even Pandemic, which they bought with BioWare, got shit up... then closed for good.

DICE released Battlefield 2142 after being purchased by EA. The billboards were updating advertisements and the game didn't work. I have 2 friends who loved Battlefield 2 that bought Battlefield 2142 and never got it to work, after numerous patches and driver updates.

 

[Blizzard]

With my recent experience with steam i have no intention of purchasing anything from there again, I felt like i would go full retail.

Then there's this. As a consumer i just can't win.

I was on the fence about picking this up since everyone i know crapped on about how enjoyable the first dragon age was. Certainly off the fence and in the No purchase patch of grass right now.

Still the positive thing about it is the fact they aren't using their own copy protection while using someone elses. Hopefully other companies can start doing the same.

Did your account ever get reactivated through the support route? I don't remember seeing any new posts by you in the Steam thread, but I could have missed it.